diff --git a/plinth/modules/diagnostics/templates/diagnostics.html b/plinth/modules/diagnostics/templates/diagnostics.html
index f2212c096..e87525db6 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/diagnostics/templates/diagnostics.html
+++ b/plinth/modules/diagnostics/templates/diagnostics.html
@@ -6,17 +6,6 @@
 {% load i18n %}
 {% load static %}
 
-{% block page_head %}
-
-  {% if is_running %}
-    <noscript>
-      <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="3" />
-    </noscript>
-  {% endif %}
-
-{% endblock %}
-
-
 {% block configuration %}
 
   {% if not is_running %}
@@ -61,11 +50,3 @@
   {% endif %}
 
 {% endblock %}
-
-
-{% block page_js %}
-  {% if is_running %}
-    <script type="text/javascript" src="{% static 'theme/js/refresh.js' %}"></script>
-  {% endif %}
-{% endblock %}
-
diff --git a/plinth/modules/diagnostics/views.py b/plinth/modules/diagnostics/views.py
index 9b441032e..0c81f7440 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/diagnostics/views.py
+++ b/plinth/modules/diagnostics/views.py
@@ -17,11 +17,13 @@ def index(request):
     if request.method == 'POST' and not diagnostics.running_task:
         diagnostics.start_task()
 
+    is_running = diagnostics.running_task is not None
     return TemplateResponse(
         request, 'diagnostics.html', {
             'app_info': diagnostics.app.info,
-            'is_running': diagnostics.running_task is not None,
-            'results': diagnostics.current_results
+            'is_running': is_running,
+            'results': diagnostics.current_results,
+            'refresh_page_sec': 3 if is_running else None
         })
 
 
diff --git a/plinth/modules/gitweb/templates/gitweb_configure.html b/plinth/modules/gitweb/templates/gitweb_configure.html
index 888241a64..93813c452 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/gitweb/templates/gitweb_configure.html
+++ b/plinth/modules/gitweb/templates/gitweb_configure.html
@@ -82,12 +82,3 @@
   </div>
 
 {% endblock %}
-
-
-{% block page_js %}
-
-  {% if cloning %}
-    <script type="text/javascript" src="{% static 'theme/js/refresh.js' %}"></script>
-  {% endif %}
-
-{% endblock %}
diff --git a/plinth/modules/gitweb/views.py b/plinth/modules/gitweb/views.py
index 9affd6baf..26027579f 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/gitweb/views.py
+++ b/plinth/modules/gitweb/views.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ class GitwebAppView(views.AppView):
         repos = gitweb.app.get_repo_list()
         context['repos'] = repos
         context['cloning'] = any('clone_progress' in repo for repo in repos)
+        context['refresh_page_sec'] = 3 if context['cloning'] else None
         return context
 
 
diff --git a/plinth/modules/monkeysphere/templates/monkeysphere.html b/plinth/modules/monkeysphere/templates/monkeysphere.html
index 16647a098..76c170181 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/monkeysphere/templates/monkeysphere.html
+++ b/plinth/modules/monkeysphere/templates/monkeysphere.html
@@ -9,12 +9,6 @@
 
 {% block page_head %}
 
-  {% if running %}
-    <noscript>
-      <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="3" />
-    </noscript>
-  {% endif %}
-
   <style type="text/css">
     td li {
         list-style: none;
@@ -157,10 +151,3 @@
   </table>
 
 {% endblock %}
-
-{% block page_js %}
-  {% if running %}
-    <script type="text/javascript" src="{% static 'theme/js/refresh.js' %}"></script>
-  {% endif %}
-{% endblock %}
-
diff --git a/plinth/modules/monkeysphere/views.py b/plinth/modules/monkeysphere/views.py
index e8eaa53dc..2a093c04f 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/monkeysphere/views.py
+++ b/plinth/modules/monkeysphere/views.py
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ def index(request):
             'app_info': monkeysphere.app.info,
             'title': monkeysphere.app.info.name,
             'status': status,
-            'running': bool(publish_process)
+            'running': bool(publish_process),
+            'refresh_page_sec': 3 if bool(publish_process) else None,
         })
 
 
diff --git a/plinth/modules/openvpn/templates/openvpn.html b/plinth/modules/openvpn/templates/openvpn.html
index 46a96bdef..af1a8ff4b 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/openvpn/templates/openvpn.html
+++ b/plinth/modules/openvpn/templates/openvpn.html
@@ -7,17 +7,6 @@
 {% load i18n %}
 {% load static %}
 
-{% block page_head %}
-
-  {% if status.setup_running %}
-    <noscript>
-      <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="3" />
-    </noscript>
-  {% endif %}
-
-{% endblock %}
-
-
 {% block status %}
 
   {% if status.is_setup and not status.setup_running %}
@@ -99,9 +88,3 @@
   {% endif %}
 
 {% endblock %}
-
-{% block page_js %}
-  {% if status.setup_running %}
-    <script type="text/javascript" src="{% static 'theme/js/refresh.js' %}"></script>
-  {% endif %}
-{% endblock %}
diff --git a/plinth/modules/openvpn/views.py b/plinth/modules/openvpn/views.py
index 422e91527..f8e917e90 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/openvpn/views.py
+++ b/plinth/modules/openvpn/views.py
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ class OpenVPNAppView(AppView):
             'is_setup': openvpn.is_setup(),
             'setup_running': bool(openvpn.setup_process),
         }
+        context['refresh_page_sec'] = 3 if context['status'][
+            'setup_running'] else None
         return context
 
 
diff --git a/plinth/modules/tor/templates/tor.html b/plinth/modules/tor/templates/tor.html
index e67a7fbd1..b337ac0e9 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/tor/templates/tor.html
+++ b/plinth/modules/tor/templates/tor.html
@@ -7,16 +7,6 @@
 {% load i18n %}
 {% load static %}
 
-{% block page_head %}
-
-  {% if config_running %}
-    <noscript>
-      <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="3" />
-    </noscript>
-  {% endif %}
-
-{% endblock %}
-
 {% block status %}
   {% if config_running %}
     <h3>{% trans "Status" %}</h3>
@@ -112,8 +102,4 @@
 
   <script type="text/javascript" src="{% static 'tor/tor.js' %}"></script>
 
-  {% if config_running %}
-    <script type="text/javascript" src="{% static 'theme/js/refresh.js' %}"></script>
-  {% endif %}
-
 {% endblock %}
diff --git a/plinth/modules/tor/views.py b/plinth/modules/tor/views.py
index 14b74b0b8..bdeb80cc5 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/tor/views.py
+++ b/plinth/modules/tor/views.py
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ def index(request):
             'has_diagnostics': True,
             'is_enabled': status['enabled'],
             'is_running': status['is_running'],
+            'refresh_page_sec': 3 if bool(config_process) else None,
         })
 
 
diff --git a/plinth/modules/upgrades/templates/upgrades_configure.html b/plinth/modules/upgrades/templates/upgrades_configure.html
index f2ef8ea33..d8497e010 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/upgrades/templates/upgrades_configure.html
+++ b/plinth/modules/upgrades/templates/upgrades_configure.html
@@ -7,14 +7,6 @@
 {% load i18n %}
 {% load static %}
 
-{% block page_head %}
-  {% if is_busy %}
-    <noscript>
-      <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="3" />
-    </noscript>
-  {% endif %}
-{% endblock %}
-
 {% block extra_content %}
   <h3>{% trans "Manual update" %}</h3>
   {% if is_busy %}
@@ -59,9 +51,3 @@
     </p>
   {% endif %}
 {% endblock %}
-
-{% block page_js %}
-  {% if is_busy %}
-    <script type="text/javascript" src="{% static 'theme/js/refresh.js' %}"></script>
-  {% endif %}
-{% endblock %}
diff --git a/plinth/modules/upgrades/views.py b/plinth/modules/upgrades/views.py
index 8413df8aa..056d294b4 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/upgrades/views.py
+++ b/plinth/modules/upgrades/views.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ class UpgradesConfigurationView(AppView):
         context = super().get_context_data(*args, **kwargs)
         context['is_busy'] = package.is_package_manager_busy()
         context['log'] = get_log()
+        context['refresh_page_sec'] = 3 if context['is_busy'] else None
         return context
 
     def form_valid(self, form):
diff --git a/plinth/templates/base.html b/plinth/templates/base.html
index 72ad95c74..6934f4b55 100644
--- a/plinth/templates/base.html
+++ b/plinth/templates/base.html
@@ -65,11 +65,20 @@
 
   <script type="text/javascript" src="{% static 'theme/js/main.js' %}" defer></script>
 
+  {% if refresh_page_sec %}
+    <noscript>
+      <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="{{ refresh_page_sec }}" />
+    </noscript>
+  {% endif %}
+
   {% block app_head %}<!-- placeholder for app/module-specific head files -->{% endblock %}
   {% block page_head %}<!-- placeholder for page-specific head files -->{% endblock %}
 </head>
 
-<body class="{%block body_class %}{%endblock%}">
+<body class="{%block body_class %}{%endblock%}"
+      {% if refresh_page_sec %}
+        data-refresh-page-sec="{{ refresh_page_sec }}"
+      {% endif %}>
 <div id="wrapper">
 <!--[if lt IE 7]><p class=chromeframe>Your browser is <em>ancient!</em> <a href="http://mozilla.org/firefox">Upgrade to a modern version of Firefox</a> to experience this site.</p><![endif]-->
   <div class="navbar navbar-fixed-top navbar-default main-header" role="navigation">
diff --git a/plinth/templates/setup.html b/plinth/templates/setup.html
index 760373691..9b85b7981 100644
--- a/plinth/templates/setup.html
+++ b/plinth/templates/setup.html
@@ -7,18 +7,6 @@
 {% load i18n %}
 {% load static %}
 
-{% block page_head %}
-  {% if setup_state == 'up-to-date' %}
-    <noscript>
-      <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0" />
-    </noscript>
-  {% elif setup_current_operation %}
-    <noscript>
-      <meta http-equiv="refresh" content="3" />
-    </noscript>
-  {% endif %}
-{% endblock %}
-
 {% block content %}
 
   {% include "app-header.html" with setup=True %}
@@ -111,16 +99,3 @@
   {% endif %}
 
 {% endblock %}
-
-
-{% block page_js %}
-
-  {% if setup_current_operation or setup_state == 'up-to-date' %}
-    {% if setup_state == 'up-to-date' %}
-      <script type="text/javascript" src="{% static 'theme/js/refresh_immediately.js' %}"></script>
-    {% else %}
-      <script type="text/javascript" src="{% static 'theme/js/refresh.js' %}"></script>
-    {% endif %}
-  {% endif %}
-
-{% endblock %}
diff --git a/plinth/views.py b/plinth/views.py
index 1117cb83c..d61e79356 100644
--- a/plinth/views.py
+++ b/plinth/views.py
@@ -283,6 +283,12 @@ class SetupView(TemplateView):
             context[
                 'package_manager_is_busy'] = package.is_package_manager_busy()
 
+        context['refresh_page_sec'] = None
+        if context['setup_state'] == 'up-to-date':
+            context['refresh_page_sec'] = 0
+        elif context['setup_current_operation']:
+            context['refresh_page_sec'] = 3
+
         return context
 
     def dispatch(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
diff --git a/static/themes/default/js/main.js b/static/themes/default/js/main.js
index 5fea98824..0ec9d7baa 100644
--- a/static/themes/default/js/main.js
+++ b/static/themes/default/js/main.js
@@ -22,6 +22,24 @@
   for the JavaScript code in this page.
 */
 
+/*
+ * Refresh page if marked for refresh.
+ */
+document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
+    const body = document.querySelector('body');
+    if (body.hasAttribute('data-refresh-page-sec')) {
+        let seconds = body.getAttribute('data-refresh-page-sec');
+        seconds = parseInt(seconds, 10);
+        if (isNaN(seconds))
+            return;
+
+        window.setTimeout(() => {
+            // Refresh the page without resubmitting the POST data.
+            window.location = window.location.href;
+        }, seconds * 1000);
+    }
+});
+
 /*
  * Disable submit button on click.
  */
diff --git a/static/themes/default/js/refresh.js b/static/themes/default/js/refresh.js
deleted file mode 100644
index feed5527e..000000000
--- a/static/themes/default/js/refresh.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,36 +0,0 @@
-// SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
-/**
- * @licstart The following is the entire license notice for the JavaScript
- * code in this page.
- *
- * This file is part of FreedomBox.
- *
- * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
- * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
- * License, or (at your option) any later version.
- *
- * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
- *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
- * along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- *
- * @licend The above is the entire license notice for the JavaScript code
- * in this page.
- */
-
-function sleep(ms) {
-    return new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
-}
-
-// Refresh the page once in n seconds
-async function refresh(ms) {
-    await sleep(3000);
-    // Refresh the page without resubmitting the POST data.
-    window.location = window.location.href;
-}
-
-refresh();
diff --git a/static/themes/default/js/refresh_immediately.js b/static/themes/default/js/refresh_immediately.js
deleted file mode 100644
index ff80daff6..000000000
--- a/static/themes/default/js/refresh_immediately.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-// SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
-/**
- * @licstart The following is the entire license notice for the JavaScript
- * code in this page.
- *
- * This file is part of FreedomBox.
- *
- * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
- * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
- * License, or (at your option) any later version.
- *
- * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
- *
- * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
- * along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- *
- * @licend The above is the entire license notice for the JavaScript code
- * in this page.
- */
-
-window.location.reload();